SALALAH : Oman’s planned Salalah Future City is moving from broad masterplanning towards detailed engineering design, with the consultancy contract expected to be awarded in July, according to a project-tracking report.
The step could determine how one of Dhofar’s largest urban projects is phased, financed and connected to the wider city, as Oman pushes ahead with new urban centres aimed at improving liveability, attracting investment and supporting balanced growth outside Muscat.
Zawya Projects reported that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning is expected to award the detailed engineering design consultancy contract in the third quarter of 2026, citing a source aware of the tender details. The tender was issued on October 12, 2025, with bids closing on February 24, 2026.The significance of the expected award is not merely administrative.
Detailed design is the stage at which a future-city concept begins to confront the practical questions of roads, utilities, drainage, flood resilience, public spaces, environmental protection and investment phasing.For Salalah, those questions are particularly important because the planned coastal city sits between the Arabian Sea, existing urban growth and ecologically sensitive khors.
The Ministry describes Salalah Future City as one of Oman’s future-city developments. The project is planned to include around 12,000 residential units and accommodate up to 60,000 people, making it one of the most important long-term urban projects in Dhofar.It is also designed to include 2.5 million square metres of open and green spaces, including cultural, natural and recreational parks, as well as a waterfront intended to attract investment.Located in the heart of Greater Salalah’s urban centre, the project is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the south, Arzat Farm to the north, Khor Shaa’e to the east and Khor Al Dahareez to the west, according to the Ministry.
Zawya Projects said the planned city is envisioned as an integrated coastal urban development incorporating smart systems, intelligent mobility infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly streets, public parks, beaches, waterfront promenades, hospitality destinations, Integrated Tourism Complexes and climate-resilient urban design.The report said the project is expected to be connected to Greater Salalah through Highway 49 and the secondary road network, while protecting nearby ecologically sensitive khors.
Financial bids submitted for the consultancy contract show interest from a number of local and international engineering firms, according to Zawya Projects. The report said Scientific Ink Engineering Consultants submitted the lowest bid at around RO 1.48 million, while most bids were clustered between around RO 3 million and RO 3.7 million.Bidders listed in the report included Khatib and Alami, WSP International, Dar Al Handasah, F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy, Renardet SA & Partners and others.
Earlier international design work on the project was carried out by a consortium led by F&M Middle East, with Sasaki as technical lead. UK-based engineering and design consultancy Cundall has said it was part of the consortium, with a role covering advanced utility systems, smart-city technologies and flood-risk management strategies.For Dhofar, the project carries wider economic significance.
If implemented carefully, Salalah Future City could support new housing supply, investment, hospitality activity, public spaces and smart infrastructure, while strengthening Salalah’s role as a major urban and economic centre beyond the Khareef season.The project also raises planning and environmental questions. Its coastal location and proximity to khors mean flood resilience, traffic management, environmental protection and public access to open spaces will be central to its success.The next milestone will be the official award of the detailed engineering design consultancy.
That award should provide a clearer signal on infrastructure phasing, the investment model and future construction timelines.
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